Lightweight and highly breathable fleece that punches above its weight in warmth by trapping loads of air with its voided grid back structure, letting you dump heat like a demon.

Griffon is a lightweight addition to your layering system, great for chilly days at high cadence on the bike or as a super breathable midlayer under a windproof or shell. It’s the perfect weight for not-quite-so-balmy UK summer evenings at the crag or campsite.

The full-length zip makes for easy layering and allows you to control the warmth as your activity level changes. The hood means you can leave your hat at home, knowing if the wind picks up on your hike you can get your ears covered and carry on moving with no fuss. Unobtrusive thumb loops are there if you need them (but are discreet if you don’t), and the zipped chest pocket allows you to stash some cash, keys or a card.

With a smooth outer face, a two-tone look, and Polygiene odour control technology it also serves well as a travel companion by sneaking in under the ‘you can’t wear a fleece out to dinner’ radar!

What is Polygiene?

Wear more, wash less: it’s every busy adventurer’s dream…
We apply Polygiene™ to garments so that they smell less with wear and need washing less between use: ideal for that multi day getaway (and you’re doing your bit for the environment too).

Polygiene ™ is a silver based treatment that we apply during fabric production. The silver chloride prevents the growth of the bacteria that makes your clothes pong without interfering with the skin’s natural bacteria flora, so it’s comfortable and safe next to your skin. Polygiene ™ is bluesign ® approved (meeting the highest environmental standards) and lasts as long as your clothes do, so you’ll never need to reproof them.

The catch? There isn’t one! You can wear this garment day in, day out, and day back in again without causing a stink – winner!

This size chart indicates the body measurements our garments are designed to fit. Measure yourself as described below, and use the size chart to find your size.
Chest: measure around your chest at the widest part. The tape measure should pass under your arms, and be level from front to back.
Waist: measure around your waist at the narrowest part.
Hips: standing with your feet together, measure around your hips at the widest part.

What You Say: Customer Reviews and Comments

perfect baselayer

I have only tried this on but that is enough to make me really excited, I can see this top being the perfect thing to wear skiing and running this winter. It is a lot thinner than I was expecting and I would definitely say that this is much more of a thick base layer and I think the word 'fleece' is misleading. I have a dri-fit top from Nike in a similar fabric and it has been the best thing ever for everything from alpine mountaineering to winter running. Just don't expect it to be a fleece outer layer because it's not.

The best bit though, is the super long arms! I have very long limbs and really struggle to find outdoor clothing that fits.

I love Alpkit, I have never been disappointed and I haven't been this time. Perfick!

Skylark

23rd April 2018

Fantastic product, great value for money

Bought this top some time ago & never got round to reviewing it. I just love it! I’m 5’2” on a good day and bought a size 10, great fit, no issues with sleeve length. I agree with other reviews that the chest pocket serves little purpose. Decent pocket(s) elsewhere wouldn’t go amiss but maybe such pockets may be detrimental to the fit?
It’s great for popping under a jacket for extra warmth, I’ve used it for walking and skiing in such circs. Also good for an extra layer when cycling. It’s so versatile, easily packs into a bag as a “just in case” for when the temperature drops. It’s also smart enough to wear out on a summer evening when you need something to keep the chill off. Washes well. I’d definitely buy another!

Olis

7th December 2017

Be still, my beating heart.

This packs a serious amount of heat for your bulk/weight.

It is perfect for chucking in a bag just in case, and I've been comfortable wearing it as an outer layer over a t-shirt for low intensity activities in about 5 degrees.

I really like how I don't over heat in it. I wear it over a sports bra for winter running and cycling - perfect for today's -4 commute.

I'd love a version with a 1/4 zip. the hood isn't the most attractive, but that is a side effect of it fitting so well under a helmet and coming up high enough to keep my neck warm

RaidWind

18th February 2018

Great top, almost perfect midlayer

There are many things to like about this top. The fabric is fleecy on the inside but smooth outside which gives a sporty look - I love the colour (greener than perhaps the pictures suggest and a nice marl) and the fit is flattering. Unlike other reviewers the arms fit well on me, despite being a shorty, and I like the dinky pocket as it's good for a house key or office swipecard!

The only downside is I find it tight under the arms. I bought an 8 which is my usual size and the body fits really well but it is a bit snug in the armpits. It's ok for over a t-shirt but anything thicker tends to bunch there. I think this is because the grid fleece really grips any fabric that isn't smooth - for instance my merino top - you really have to peel the arms off as the fabric grabs the underlayer and I fear the arms will stretch longer over time! I dithered about swapping for a 10 but I think that might be a bit loose in the body (and it needs to be fitted as the fabric doesn't hang that well loose, e.g. when zip is open). So despite the full zip, it's definitely one for over the baselayer, not over another midlayer (even a thin one).

Saying all that, I do really like it. It's lightweight, and stylish. I think a 1/4 zip version, maybe without the hood, would be great as well. Maybe in grey marl

Feral

30th December 2017

Toasty top

I bought the forest in this top and the colour is lovely. When I tried it on the left sleeve felt ‘odd’. It was twisted and the thumb hole wasn’t in line.. Turned out to be a right sleeve but on the left! A phone call to Alpkit soon sorted this, and a replacement issued which fits perfect.

The top is very toasty warm with the micro-grid backing and I like the hood, low bulk means it doesn’t get in the way when not using. The chest pocket could be a bit larger, it fits keys but not a phone. The sizing comes up a bit small.. the fit is more like a base layer. I’m a UK 8 and ordered the size 10 and it’s quite fitted. The sleeves are pretty long and thumb holes useful.

I’ve worn it for winter running. For other wear only a thin vest / tee fits underneath. If I went for 2 sizes bigger it would be too large in other areas though. With some design modifications the next generation of this top would be awesome.

Sue O - Tavistock

13th November 2017

Nice lightweight top - pity about the arms!

This top is what I was looking for - nice and light with a full zip and a hood but there are one or two little things that could be improved on.

The peculiar little chest pocket serves no purpose whatsoever. It's far too small for a mobile phone and even my smallest purse won't fit inside it. I would far rather have had two normal-sized zip-up hand pockets as those would have been useful.

The big problem with the Griffon though is the sleeve length. I'm a size 10 and I have a couple of other long-sleeved Alpkit products - a Balance jacket and an Akita jacket, and I don't have a problem with the sleeves on either, but the sleeves on the Griffon seem to have been designed for someone with exceptionally long arms.

In fact, the sleeves are so long that I have to turn them back by 2 inches, which detratcs a bit from the appearance of the top. That said, I like the thumb holes and, when it's really cold and I use the thumb holes, I'll probably not be too fussed that the sleeves are so long.

All in all, another good product from Alpkit but maybe the next version would benefit from a couple of modifications.

chrys

10th November 2017

Well Made, but Not What I was Expecting

This product is well made and as someone with longer arms, the thumb holes were a good fit. I don't find the pocket on the chest to be that useful. It's in an odd location and very small in size. I can't see myself really using the pocket for anything... From the description, I was expecting something a bit more fleece-y. I wouldn't purchase this again, but I'm very satisfied with the construction of the product, despite the material and design.

Alpkit

17th November 2017

If your Alpkit goodies aren’t quite what you expected when they arrive we have a 123 day returns policy and free UK returns - Alpkit

What They Say: Kudos - Product Reviews from independent magazines and websites

WalkHighlands Review the Griffon Hoody

A really useful, lightweight layer that punches well above it’s weight in terms of performance and price.